The second meeting with the airline representatives on the strategic development of the aviation industry was held today at the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan. The event was attended by the executives of domestic airlines Air Astana, SCAT, Prime Aviation, Kazaviaspas, Qazaq Air.

In his speech, the AAK’s Director General Peter Griffiths summed up the AAK’s results for 2020 and the 2021-2025 development prospects. “Aviation is recovering from the downturn caused by the pandemic. As the airline industry returns to full operations, we, at AAK, will implement our people’s lives matters programme to identify and address safety risks based on evidence and control in conjunction with international best practices.”.

The Kazakh aviation authorities will continue to minimise the pandemic’s consequences and restoring the civil aviation industry. Based on ICAO recommendations, the relevant AAK documents were issued to extend the validity periods of certificates and licenses.

In 2020, the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan processed 5338 public services. These are 2954 certificates of aviation personnel, 1491 certificates for crew members, 154 certificates of airworthiness, 86 certificates of aircraft registration, 22 certificates of airfield fitness, 14 certificates of operators and others. In general, in 2020, the AAK carried out 458 inspections, more than 5,000 violations were revealed.

In the coming year, the aviation industry prepares for an ICAO audit and a subsequent FAA audit to obtain the CAT1 category at the end of 2023. Application deadlines are shifting due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the inability to operate flights in the United States due to restrictive measures.

In total, according to the results of last year, 5.5 million people were transported by airlines, which is 36% less than in 2019. The decline in statistical indicators was influenced by the temporary suspension and reduction of flights last year due to the coronavirus pandemic’s spread. All domestic flights have been fully resumed on 45 routes with a frequency of 590 flights per week. Flights to 14 countries (Turkey, Korea, UAE, Belarus, Ukraine, Germany, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, Russia, Georgia, Tajikistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka) on 35 routes with a frequency of 103 flights per week on international destinations have been gradually resumed.

During the meeting, representatives of the airlines presented strategic development programs. Air Astana reported on the reduction of key risks in the aviation industry. In particular, they talked about de-icing procedures, airport services, runway safety, poor braking action, and the problem of collisions with birds.

SCAT Airlines plans to purchase and supply up to 20 Boeing aircraft by 2030. The air carrier intends to implement a set of measures to develop a powerful air transport hub based on the new Shymkent airport. Complete the terminal and airport complex construction in 2021, successfully pass the certification survey, and begin production activities in early 2022. 

In the coming years, the airline will increase frequencies on domestic and international flights, as well as resume operations (Turkey, Georgia, UAE, Belarus, Russia, Mongolia and other countries).

JSC “Kazaviaspas” for the previous year made 1,726 flights, of which 613 were by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, 497 were air ambulances. Within the Development Program of JSC Kazaviaspas, it is planned to increase the aircraft fleet by 58 units by 2030. Four Mi-8 helicopters will be delivered this year.

Qazaq Air operates 104 turnaround flights per week on 22 routes: 17 commercial and 6 subsidised. In 2020, it reached its limit of the flight program for 5 aircraft. Further growth will be ensured by increasing the fleet starting from 2021. The airline plans to develop the Nur-Sultan hub for interregional connections, the development of new and growing regions in Turkestan, Balkhash, Alakol, Zaisan, and its own maintenance base according to the EASA standard.

Prime Aviation has focused on developing business aviation, improving flight safety and safety culture.

During the discussion, the meeting participants made several other proposals to improve the legislative support for developing the Kazakhstan aviation industry and topical issues of current strategic development processes. For all airlines operating flights to Kazakhstan, one unified requirement will be introduced to ensure flight safety. Today, the development of amendments in the legislation on the implementation of requirements for domestic and foreign airlines that will operate flights to the European Union countries is being finalised. 

The aviation administration will continue to implement the advanced European model of civil aviation management. It will exercise appropriate safety oversight and take appropriate measures to develop the aviation industry. A universal approach will be developed for all airlines, and support will be provided to achieve the set goals, objectives and overcome constraints.